Garment hanger

ABSTRACT

A molded plastic garment hanger as is widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments, comprising a unitary plastic central hook and arms extending in opposite directions from the base of the central hook to facilitate a garment to be suspended therefrom by garment clips. The garment clips enable the attachment of various kinds of garments thereto, such as underwear, slips, brassieres, swimwear and the like, and are particularly adapted to secure the shoulder straps of such garments. The garment hanger has an improved garment retaining clip wherein as a garment strap is inserted into the garment retaining clip, the garment receiving channel of the clip first opens to allow the garment strap to enter, and then closes to securely retain the garment and to prevent it from becoming accidentally dislodged therefrom.

CROSS REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application is a continuation of patent applicationSer. No. 09/739,568 filed on Dec. 18, 2000 which is acontinuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 08/867,986 filedJun. 3, 1977, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.08/675,228 filed Jul. 1, 1996 which is a continuation-in-part of patentapplication Ser. No. 54,319, now Des. 392,113 for a GARMENT HANGER,filed May 9, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to molded plastic garmenthangers as are widely used for the purpose of shipping and displayinggarments. Garment hangers of that type may be simply constructed asmolded plastic structures incorporating a central hook adapted to besuspended from a suitable support, such as a garment display rack or thelike. The garment hanger body typically has arms extending in oppositedirections from the base of the central hook so as to facilitate agarment to be suspended therefrom. The opposite or distal ends of thearm typically have garment clips formed thereon to enable the attachmentof various kinds of garments thereto, such as underwear, slips,brassieres, swimwear, multiple garments, and the like.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] A wide variety of molded plastic garment hangers with garmentclips are presently known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423 discloses a GarmentHanger having plural garment retaining clips on the distal ends of thearm, with improvements to the design of the clip, which was previouslydescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,155. One of the improvements describedin this patent is the addition of a stop formation which is“substantially aligned” with the elongated pressing member which engagesthe garment to be hung from the hanger. The stop formation is intendedto prevent the strap of a brassier from sliding around the end of thepressing member into the open and enclosed space above the elongatedpressing member. This stop formation is disclosed in FIGS. 9(a), (b) ofthis application, which correspond to FIGS. 19 and 21 of U.S. Pat. No.5,632,423, a known prior art design.

[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,623,079 and 4,629,102 disclose a hanger havingan elevated hook member, a hanger body having horizontally extendingarms and respectively, resilient grips and clips of a U-shapedconfiguration located at the end of each arm. The U-shaped configurationincludes first and second members, which are also being connected toeach other; the second member also being connected to the hanger body.The U-shaped garment engaging clip has a double-flex mechanism toprevent breakage of the clip when a garment is resiliently engaged.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,237 discloses a plastic garment hanger havinga hook, a body bar extending longitudinally from the hook, with the bodybar terminating at each end in a pair of arms, one above and one belowthe body bar which form garment receiving slots. A third arm creates adownwardly opening slot at the end of the body. The shape of the arms issuch that the mouth or open end of the slot is narrower than the upperor inner end of each clip. Adjacent the blind end of the garmentreceiving slot, the slot is deepened to form a pocket which is recesseddownwardly into the body. At the entrance of the pocket a tongue fromthe upper flange of the body bar is provided. The tongue divides thepocket. Additionally, a finger which extends upwardly and outwardly atan angle from the upper flange of the body bar is provided. The fingeris spaced inwardly a short distance from the clip.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,916 discloses a plastic garment hanger havinggarment retaining clip ends formed with downwardly and outwardlyincluded support elements from which upper and lower retaining elementsextend in a “T” and are provided directly with the formations engagingthe garments in respective channels. The channels are defined by asurfaces having inter-digitating arrays of teeth. The clip configurationis intended to overcome the deficiencies ordinary associated with clipshaving flexible bent back finger.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,557 discloses a plastic garment hanger havinga hook, a body bar extending longitudinally from the hook and wingportions terminating each end of the body bar. Each wing portion definesa second channel in intersecting relation with the first channel. Thesecond channel is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the firstchannel. Positioned along the first channel are a series of generallysemi-circular projections which function to impede the movement of thegarment, i.e. panty, intended to be suspended therefrom.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,109 discloses a plastic, multi-garment hangerwhich includes a slot extending upwardly from the edge of the bodymember between a vertically oriented clip and a horizontally orientedclip. The slot provides for the displacement of a portion of thevertically oriented clip and/or the horizontally oriented clip therebyreducing the level of stress concentrated at the upper, inward edge ofvertical oriented clips and the connecting portion of the horizontallyoriented clips of the typical multi-clip hangers. However, while theslot is taught to provide additional flexibility, applicant notes thatthe portions of the vertically oriented and horizontally oriented clipsof U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,109 are necessarily thinner in construction whichweakens such clips and reduces their strength.

[0011] Each of the above-described prior art hangers (with the exceptionof the hanger provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,557) is provided with aclip arrangement for the retention of light-weight, two-piece garments,such as panties and brassieres. Each type of clip arrangement isprovided with some level of flexibility necessary for the insertion ofthe garment clip.

[0012] Other typical prior art hangers are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos.4,623,079; 4,629,102; 4,892,237; 5,065,916; and 5,129,557 and Des.246,817.

[0013] The clip arrangement of the hanger discloses in U.S. Pat. No.4,623,079 and 4,629,102, described above, has generally a U-shapedconfiguration, the flexible free end of which can be deflected in twodirections.

[0014] A problem in the prior art with the molded plastic garmenthangers having U-shaped clips illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,623,079,4,629,102, 4,828,155 and 5,632,423 is encountered when brassieres havingthin straps are suspended from the hanger. These thin straps,particularly those supporting sheer brassieres, have a tendency to sliparound the end of the inner member of the U-shaped clip, and get caughtin the inner space of the unshaped clip. While the stop formationsdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423 were intended to stop this problem,the problem still persists. Once the strap has migrated into thisposition, it is difficult to remove the strap from within the clipwithout damaging the clip or the garment strap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention toprovide garment hangers having improved garment retaining clips atopposite ends thereof which are designed to securely retain a garment toprevent it from being accidentally dislodged therefrom. Moreover, theimproved garment retaining clips are designed to avoid breakage of theclips, and to prevent the migration of brassier straps around the endsof the inner arms of the clips into the inner free space of the clip.The present invention solves this problem by providing an improved stopformation which is not “substantially aligned” when the clip is at rest,but which is aligned when the inner arm of the clips have been displacedby the brassiere strap.

[0016] Further, the improved garment clips of the present invention aredesigned with a much greater flexibility, without a stiffening ribextending longitudinally along the outer length of the moveable cliparm. The more flexible clip arm is much easier to open and use, andmoreover the greater flexibility also makes the insertion of garments,particularly thicker garments, into the clips much easier, and greatlyalleviates problems with carpel tunnel syndrome by persons who areemployed to insert a great number of garments into a great number ofsuch garment retaining clips.

[0017] A further object of the subject invention is the provision of agarment hanger having an improved garment retaining clip wherein as agarment is inserted into the garment retaining clip, a compound movementand action of first and second support members arranged in a doublereturn configuration result in the garment receiving channel of the clipfirst opening to allow the garment to enter, and then closing tosecurely retain the garment therein and to prevent it from becomingaccidentally dislodged therefrom.

[0018] The garment hanger also has an improved panty retaining cliphaving an inward slant defined by a receiving channel of the pantyretaining clip. As a panty waist band is inserted into the pantyretaining clip and is inserted from an initial position at an openingthereof to a fully inserted position, the panty waist band movesradially inwardly towards the center of the garment hanger. Accordingly,after a panty waist band is inserted fully into the panty retainingclip, the panty waist band shrinks at each end of the garment hanger.This also means that the panty waist band must be expanded or stretchedat each end of the garment hanger to remove the panty from the pantyretaining clip, which makes accidental removal or dislodgement of thegarment from the garment clip a virtual impossibility.

[0019] In accordance with the teachings herein, the present inventionprovides a lightweight, molded plastic garment hanger comprising a hookmember and a body member extending longitudinally from the hook member.The body member defines first and second opposite ends, and a garmentretaining clip is integrally molded with the body member at each of thefirst and second ends. Each garment retaining clip is positionedadjacent to the body member, and defines a garment receiving channeltherebetween. The garment retaining clip defines a compound movement,double return configuration formed by a first member mounted to the endof the body member by a first cantilever mount and having a spaced end,and a second member integrally connected in a spaced relation to thefirst member by a second cantilever mount and having a spaced free end.As a garment enters the garment receiving channel, an initial expansionat the mouth of the garment receiving channel causes a rotation of thecombination of the first and second members about the first cantilevermount. Subsequently as the garment slides past the second cantilevermount, it causes an upward flexure of the free end of the second memberabout the second cantilever mount and a downward deflection of thespaced end of the first member causing a closing of the second memberagainst the body member. With this arrangement as a garment is insertedinto the garment retaining clip, the compound movement and action of thefirst and second members result in the garment receiving channel of theclip first opening to allow the garment to enter, and then closing tosecurely retain the garment therein and to prevent it from beingaccidentally dislodged therefrom.

[0020] In greater detail, each of the first and second members defines arounded rectangular or oval shape having the same width W as the bodymember to resist movement into and out of the plane defined by the bodymember.

[0021] The present invention also provides a lightweight, molded plasticgarment hanger comprising a hook member and a body member extendinglongitudinally from the hook member. The body member defines first andsecond opposite ends, and a garment retaining clip is integrally moldedwith the body member at each of the first and second ends. Each garmentretaining clip comprises first and second opposed clip sides defining agarment receiving channel therebetween. The first clip side comprises afirst downwardly extending member mounted to the end of the body memberby a first cantilever mount and having a spaced end, and a secondupwardly extending member integrally connected in spaced relation to thefirst member by a second cantilever mount and having a spaced free end.The second clip side comprises a downwardly extending member which ispositioned opposed to and spaced from the first clip side to define thegarment receiving channel therebetween. Pursuant to the presentinvention, the garment receiving channel defined by the first and secondopposed clip sides proceeds from a bottom opening of the garmentreceiving channel, upwardly and inwardly towards the hook member to atop garment retaining position. The radial difference between the bottomopening and the top garment retaining position is approximately 0.125inches, such that as a garment is inserted fully into the garmentretaining clip, the length of the garment shrinks approximately ⅛″ ateach end of the garment hanger. This also means that the length of thegarment must be expanded or stretched ¼″, considering the expansion atboth ends, to remove the garment from the garment retaining clip, whichdeters accidental dislodgement of the garment therefrom.

[0022] In greater detail, the first downwardly extending member of thefirst clip side includes a center stiffening rib extendinglongitudinally along the outer length of the first downwardly extendingmember to provide a relatively stiff and inflexible first downwardlyextending member. Moreover, the first downwardly extending member of thefirst clip side further includes a center stiffening rib extendinglongitudinally along the inner length of the first downwardly extendingmember to provide a relatively stiff and inflexible first downwardlyextending member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention fora garment hanger may be more readily understood by one skilled in theart with reference being had to the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like elements are designated by identical referencenumerals throughout the several views, and in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of alightweight, molded plastic garment hanger pursuant to the teachings ofthe present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the lightweight, moldedplastic garment hanger illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one end of the lightweight, moldedplastic garment hanger of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating further details ofthe novel features and construction thereof;

[0027]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows4-4 in FIG. 3, and illustrates further details of construction of thefirst and third garment clips of the garment hanger;

[0028]FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows5-5 in FIG. 3, and illustrates further details of construction of thesecond garment clip of the garment hanger;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the first garment clip witha garment strap being inserted into the mouth of the clip, andillustrates how the initial insertion causes the clip to deform toaccept the garment strap;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the first garment clip witha garment strap fully inserted therein, and illustrates how the fullinsertion causes the free end of the first garment clip to close againstthe garment therein, thereby securely retaining the garment in the clip;and

[0031]FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the first and third garmentclips, and illustrates some of the more significant dimensions of thoseclips.

[0032]FIG. 9(a) is a front elevation view of the prior art clip designillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423, and corresponds to FIG. 19 ofthat patent.

[0033]FIG. 9(b) is a front elevation view of the prior art clip designillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423, and corresponds to FIG. 21 ofthat patent.

[0034]FIG. 9(c) is a front elevation view of the clip design illustratedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423, and illustrates the problem solved by thepresent invention.

[0035]FIG. 10(a) is a front elevation view of the clip designillustrating one embodiment of a new and improved stop formation whichprevents the migration of straps around the inner arm of the garmentretaining clip.

[0036]FIG. 10(b) is a front elevation view of the clip designillustrating a second embodiment of a new and improved stop formationwhich prevents the migration of straps around the inner arm of thegarment retaining clip.

[0037]FIG. 10(c) is a front elevation view of the clip designillustrating a third embodiment of a new and improved stop formationwhich prevents the migration of straps around the inner arm of thegarment retaining clip.

[0038]FIG. 10(d) is a front elevation view of the clip designillustrating a fourth embodiment of a new and improved stop formationwhich prevents the migration of straps around the inner arm of thegarment retaining clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustraterespectively front and rear elevation views of a molded plastic garmenthanger 10 having a central hook member 12 which is integrally moldedwith an elongated hanger body 14, the latter of which includes a pair ofcoplanar oppositely directed ends 16 and 18, with each of the endsdefining a plurality of garment retaining clips for suspending one ormore garments. The particular illustrated shapes of the central hookmember 12 and elongated hanger body 14 are exemplary only, and can havevarious and different shapes and dimensions. The shaded areas in FIG. 3are all formed with a reduced width w, reduced from the full width W, asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0040] As depicted best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, to maximize strength whileusing the minimum amount of material, the hanger body 14 and the centralhook member 12 are constructed with a C-shaped cross-section having afirst horizontally extending flange 20 and a second horizontallyextending flange 22 connected by a vertical wall 24. However, inalternative embodiments the hanger body 14 may be constructed with acurved M-shaped cross-section, an E-shaped cross-section, an I-beamcross-section, or any suitable cross-section which may improve thestrength to weight ratio for particular applications to resist flexingdue to the weight of the garment hanging from the hanger of the presentinvention and to assist in maintaining the hanger upright when in use.

[0041] The plurality of garment retaining clips can include one or moreof a first garment retaining clip 28, a second garment retaining clip30, and a third garment retaining clip 32. The first garment retainingclip 28 is generally horizontally disposed above the body member 14. Thesecond garment retaining clip 30 is generally vertically disposed, withan inward slant as described in greater detail hereinbelow, and isdisposed outwardly from the end 16 or 18. The third garment retainingclip 32 is generally horizontally disposed below the hanger body 14. Thehorizontally disposed garment retaining clips 28 and 32 typicallyreceive shoulder straps from a brassiere, slip or like garment. Thegenerally vertically disposed second garment retaining clip 30 typicallyreceives a waistband from panties, swimsuit bottoms or like garments.

[0042] The hanger body 14 is constructed with a C-shaped cross-sectionhaving a generally flat central section 24 and reinforcing flanges 20,22 extending around the edges of the central section which define thewidth of the garment hanger. The primary support members of theplurality of garment retaining clips 28, 30 and 32 are generallyconstructed of the same width W as the reinforcing flanges 32, asdescribed in further detail hereinbelow. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thetop flange 20 extends upwardly at 33 and continuously into the structureof the first garment retaining clip 28 and one side of the secondgarment retaining clip 30, which have the same width W as the flange 33.The bottom flange 22 extends downwardly at 35 and continuously into thestructure of the third garment retaining clip 32 and the second side ofthe second garment retaining clip 30, which also have the same width Was the reinforcing flange.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the first garment retaining clip 28,which is positioned above and adjacent to the body member 14, defines afirst garment receiving channel or mouth 34 therebetween. The firstgarment receiving clip 28 has a resilient substantially V-shaped, doublereturn configuration comprising a first elongated member 36 and a secondelongated member 38 integrally connected in a spaced V-shapedrelationship by a connecting portion 40. When a garment is inserted intothe first garment receiving channel 34, the second elongated member 38deflects into a deflecting area 42 while it serves to hold the garmentin place. The deflecting area 42 is defined by the first elongatedmember 36, the second elongated member 38 and the connecting portion 40.The first garment retaining clip 28 is designed and configured such thatthe second member 38 is moveable in a direction transverse to and fromthe body member 14 while resisting movement into and out of the plane ofthe hanger body 14. To facilitate the insertion of a garment to besuspended from the hanger, the connecting portion 40 is formed with arounded lip 44 which extends upwardly and inwardly toward the hookmember 12.

[0044] The first garment retaining clip 28, with the V-shaped members36, 38, provides a construction having two primary resilient mounts, thefirst resilient mount being the cantilever mounting at 46 of the firstmember 36, and the second resilient mount being the cantilever mountingat 40 of member 38 relative to member 36. The construction of the firstand second members 36, 38 is further illustrated in FIG. 4, whichillustrates the rounded rectangular or oval shape of each of the firstand second members 36, 38.

[0045] The first and second members 36, 38 are both constructed to havethe same width W as the hanger body 14, which resists movement of themembers 36, 38 into and out of the plane of the hanger body. This is incontrast to a prior art design in which a member similar to member 38was constructed with a reduced width, which resulted in substantialmovement of the member into and out of the plane of the hanger body.FIGS. 3 and 4 also illustrate a center stiffening rib 50 connecting thefirst and second members 36 and 38 near the cantilever mounting 40 whichstiffens the cantilever mounting, and also resists movement of member 38into and out of the plane of the hanger body.

[0046] The construction and design is such that as a garment or strap isinitially inserted into the mouth of the first garment receiving channel34, as illustrated in FIG. 6, an initial expansion at the mouth of thegarment receiving channel caused by insertion of the garment thereincauses a rotation of the combination of the first and second members 36,38 about the first cantilever mount 46. As illustrated in FIG. 6, duringthe initial insertion the first member 36 bends upwardly, with theupward bend most pronounced nearer to the cantilever mounting at 46. Asthe garment or strap slides past the second cantilever mount 40 andtowards the free end 48 of the second member 38, as illustrated in FIG.7, it causes an upward flexure of the free end 48 of the second member38, which also results in a downward deflection of the free end of thefirst member 36 at 40 and a closing of the bottom of the second member38 near the location at 40 relative to the hanger body 14 positionedtherebeneath.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the garment clip is closed upon agarment, the top member 36 frequently assumes a complex curved shape,initially bowing downwardly at 71, and then bowing up very slightly at73, then bowing continuously downwardly at 75 towards the connectingposition 40.

[0048] Accordingly, as a garment or strap is inserted into the firstgarment retaining clip 28, the compound mounting and action of the firstand second members 36, 38 result in the mouth of the clip first openingto allow the garment to enter, and then closing to securely retain thegarment or strap therein to prevent it from being accidentally dislodgedand falling from the first garment retaining clip. This advantageousfeature of automatic closing of the mouth of the garment retaining clipagainst a garment or strap after the garment or strap has been insertedtherein is novel relative to known prior art garment retaining clips.

[0049] Moreover with such molded plastic garment hangers, garments arefrequently inserted into the garment clips manually by a person whoinserts a great number of garments into a corresponding number ofgarment clips. Prior art garment clips have been designed withadditional strength and stiffness to prevent breakage of the garmentclips as a garment is inserted therein or removed therefrom. Theadditional strength and stiffness has often been achieved by designingthe moveable arm or arms of the garment clip with a stiffening,reinforcing outer rib extending longitudinally along the outer length ofthe moveable arm, similar to the reinforcing outer rib 58 of the garmentclip 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. With the stiffer, more rigid clipstypical of the prior art, the persons inserting the garments into thegarment clips frequently developed carpel tunnel syndrome because of theconstant strain associated with inserting a large number of garments,particularly thicker garments, into the garment clips.

[0050] The present invention takes an opposite approach in which thegarment clip is designed with greater flexibility, without a stiffeningrib extending longitudinally along the length of the moveable clip arm.The more flexible clip arm is much easier to open and use by a customer,and moreover the greater flexibility results in almost no breakage ofthe clip arms. The greater flexibility is achieved by eliminating astiffening rib, and also by designing the garment clip with a doublereturn configuration as explained hereinabove.

[0051] The garment retaining clip of the present invention is designedto be much more flexible and easier to open and use than previous priorart designs. The more flexible design is achieved by the double returnconfiguration and functioning of the garment clip as describedhereinabove, and by a careful designing of, the garment dimensions,ratios of the dimensions, and selection of an appropriate material.

[0052] The inventive plastic hanger can be formed of styrene whichprovides a clear, virtually transparent polystyrene hanger for maximumdisplay of intimate apparel garments, such as bras and panties, to besuspended therefrom. In the alternative, the hanger can be molded frompolypropylene; preferably II.I, styrene polypropylene; polypropylene;polyvinychloride; ABS or other suitable thermoplastics and mixturesthereof. For additional reinforcement, K resin can be added to theplastic material.

[0053] The preferred material polystyrene has a Flexural Modulus, MPa,of 3,170, taken from CONCISE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POLYMER SCIENCE ANDENGINEERING, p. 1117.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment, the first garment clip 28 has thefollowing dimensions shown in the left column, which can vary inalternative embodiments between the lower and upper limits shownrespectively in the middle and right columns, W = 0.190″ 0.14 0.24 T₁ =T₂ = 0.078″ 0.06 0.10 L₁ = 0.890″ 0.67 1.11 L₂ = 0.807″ 0.60 1.01 A =0.318″ B = 0.130″ C = 0.414″

[0055] The garment clip 28 has the following ratios of dimensions shownin the left column, which can vary in alternative embodiments betweenthe lower and upper limits shown respectively in the middle and rightcolumns. W/T =  2.436 1.8 3.0 L₁/T = 11.410 8.5 14.3 L₂/T = 10.346 7.713.0 L₁/W =  4.684 3.5 5.9 L₂/W =  4.247 3.2 5.3

[0056] The third garment retaining clip 32 is constructed similar to thefirst garment retaining clip 28, and accordingly functions in a mannersimilar to that explained above for the first garment retaining clip.

[0057] The third garment clip 32 has the following dimensions, shown inthe left column, which can vary in alternative embodiments between thelower and upper limits shown respectively in the middle and rightcolumns W = 0.190″ 0.14 0.24 T₃ = T₄ = 0.078″ 0.06 0.10 L₃ = 0.950″ 0.711.19 L₄ = 0.876″ 0.66 1.11 D = 0.321″ E = 0.130″ F = 0.363″

[0058] The third garment clip 32 has the following ratios of dimensionsshown in the left column, which can vary in alternative embodimentsbetween the lower and upper limits shown respectively in the middle andright columns W/T =  2.436 1.8 3.0 L₃/T = 12.179 9.1 15.2 L₄/T = 11.2318.4 14.0 L₃/W =  5.000 3.8 6.2 L₄/W =  4.611 3.5 5.8

[0059] The above dimensions and ratios have been found to providegarment clips constructed of polystyrene which are particularlyefficacious and useful. However, other suitable plastic materials havinga different Modulus of Elasticity (Young's Modulus) than polystyrene maybe utilized in alternative embodiments with suitable modifications ofthe garment clip dimensions and ratios of dimensions.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, the second garment retaining clip 30 isintegrally molded with the hanger body at each of the first and secondends. Each second garment retaining clip comprises first and secondopposed clip sides defining a garment receiving channel 52 therebetween.The second garment retaining clip 30 is designed to mount panties, andincludes several novel features. The V at 53 defining the mouth of thegarment receiving channel 52 of the second garment retaining clipdefines a larger opening than the mouths of known prior art garmentretaining clips, which makes it easier to mount panties on the garmenthanger. The first clip side comprises a first downwardly extendingsupport member 54 mounted to the end of the body member by a firstcantilever mount at 55 and having a spaced end. The construction of thefirst support member 54 of the panty holder is also novel, and providesa relatively inflexible mount for the outer rib, which provides arelatively stiff and inflexible support as a panty band is inserted intothe second garment retaining clip.

[0061] The first support member 54 has a rounded rectangular shapedmember 56, as illustrated in section in FIG. 5, having the same width Was the hanger body 14. Additionally, a center stiffening rib 58 extendslongitudinally along the outer length of support member 54. The firstsupport member 54 extends to a spaced end at 60 which forms a cantileversupport and mount for a second support member 62. The second member 62also has a rounded rectangular shape, as illustrated in section in FIG.5, having the same width W as the hanger body. A center rib 64 extendslongitudinally along the inner length of support member 56, and extendsinto a center cantilever support 66 for the second member 62. The secondmember 62 defines a center toothed section 68.

[0062] The second clip side comprises a downwardly extending memberwhich is positioned opposed to and spaced from the first clip side todefine the garment receiving channel 52 therebetween. The reinforcingflange 22 of the hanger body 14 extends downwardly at 70 into a supportmember 72, having the same width W, which extends downwardly to form thesecond opposed side of the second garment retaining clip. The supportmember 72 extends downwardly, and then inwardly at 74 where it extendsinto and forms a part of the third garment retaining clip 32. A supportmember 76, having a width W, extends downwardly from support member 72,and then curves around and extends outwardly at 78. A center rib 80defines a center toothed section 82, spaced and opposed to the centertoothed section 68, to form the garment receiving channel 52therebetween to grasp and retain a garment therein.

[0063] A further novel feature of the second garment retaining clip isthe inward slant defined by the garment receiving channel 52 of thepanty retaining clip. As a panty waist band is inserted into the secondgarment retaining clip and is inserted from an initial position atlocation 86 to a fully inserted position at location 88, the panty waistband moves radially inwardly towards the center of the garment hanger adistance d, FIG. 6, of approximately ⅛ inch. This means that after apanty waist band is inserted fully into the panty retaining clip, thepanty waist band shrinks approximately ⅛″ at each end of the garmenthanger. This also means that the panty waist band must be expanded orstretched ¼″, {fraction (1/8)}″ at each end of the garment hanger, toremove the panty from the panty retaining clip, which makes accidentalremoval or dislodgement of the garment from the garment clip a virtualimpossibility.

[0064] A novel feature of the second garment retaining clip 30 is thereinforcing outer rib 58 which extends along the length of andreinforces the first support member 58 to make the first support membermore rigid and less resilient, and also the inner reinforcing rib 64.

[0065] FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) illustrate a known prior art design, andcorrespond to FIGS. 19 and 21 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423. As describedin that patent, the clip includes a pressing beam 118 which issubstantially centrally supported by a carrier 120. The carrier 120 issupported by a spring arm 122 and a curved connecting part 124 mountedon the body of the hanger, depicted generally as bar 114. A stopformation or stop element 138 is positioned “substantially in alignment”with the pressing beam 118. According to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No.5,632,423, the purpose of the stop formation is “to keep the garment inthe proper position and prevent the garment from moving around thecurved head 130 and into the gap between the arm 122 and the beam” orpressing member 118.

[0066] As illustrated in prior art FIG. 9(b) a garment strap 172 hasbeen inserted into the garment clip, with the pressing member 122parallel to the bar or body member 114. This is an illustrative exampleof the manner in which this clip functions with a relatively widebrassiere strap, as the one depicted at 172. However it has been found,that when a clip that is “substantially aligned” with the pressingmember is used with a narrow garment strap, as illustrated in prior artFIG. 9(c), a different problem appears. When the strap 173 firstencounters the pressing member 118, the first end 118(a) of pressingmember lifts, and the pressing member 118 rotates clockwise asillustrated in FIG. 20 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423, and as furtherillustrated by arrow 174 of FIG. 9(c). However, if the strap 173 ispulled towards the second end 118(b) of the pressing member, and passesbeyond the support element 120, the pressing member may rotatecounterclockwise to the position illustrated in FIG. 9(c). When thishappens, the end 130 can be rotated above the stop formation 138,allowing the garment strap 173 to slip therebetween, and into the gapbetween the arm 122 and the pressing member 118. Once a strap has passedinto this space, it is very difficult to remove, After the strap haspassed completely into the gap space 175, the resilience of the plasticat support 120 will return the pressing member to its original position,adjacent the stop formation 138, closing the gap therebetween, andmaking removal of the strap without damage to the clip or the strap verydifficult.

[0067] The present invention describes an improved stop formation,illustrated at 49(a), 49(b), 49(c) and 49(d) in FIGS. 10(a), 10(b),10(c) and 10(d) respectively. This stop formation is not located“substantially adjacent” the end of the pressing member of FIGS. 9 orthe inner arm 38 of FIGS. 10; Instead, it is located above the inner arm38, along the trajectory of the outer end of the inner arm, so as toblock access along a predefined portion of a path or trajectorydescribed by the end of the inner arm 38, as it flexes upwardly inresponse to the presence of a narrow strap. By moving the stopformations 49 upwardly, they block access to the inner space 42, whenthe inner arm 38 is flexed upwardly. Further, by blocking access along apredefined portion of the path, rather than at a specific tangentialpoint, as taught by the prior art, the performance of the stop formationis improved. The surface of the stop formation may be a linear web, asillustrated by FIG. 10(a), a curved web which follows the trajectory ofa flexing inner arm 38, as illustrated in FIG. 10(b), or an elongatedbump, as illustrated in FIG. 10(c).

[0068] Alternately, a continuous web 49(d), with a reverse cut out 49(e)“substantially aligned” with the inner arm, as illustrated in FIG. 10(d)may be employed. If the inner arm is formed with a rounded tip, such asthe tip 48 illustrated in the drawings, the reverse cut may mirror theshape of the tip. If a thin web is employed for the stop formation, theinwardly projecting formation, formed above the reverse cut out, may bedimensioned to slightly toucn the tip 48 as it is flexed upwardly.

[0069] As is apparent from a review of the various embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 10(a) to 10(d), the new and improved stopformations are not “substantially aligned” with the inner arm 38. Whileseveral embodiments and variations of the present invention for agarment hanger are described in detail herein, it should be apparentthat the disclosure and teachings of the present invention will suggestmany alternative designs to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lightweight, molded plastic garment hangercomprising: (a) a hook member; (b) a body member extendinglongitudinally from said hook member, said body member defining firstand second ends; (c) a garment retaining clip integrally molded withsaid body member at each of said first and second ends, wherein eachgarment retaining clip is positioned adjacent to said body member anddefines a garment receiving channel therebetween, said clip having; (i)a outer arm mounted to the end of the body member by a first cantilevermount and having a spaced end, the outer arm having a width W, athickness T and a length L1, wherein the ratio of W/T varies from 1.8 to3.0, and the ratio of L1/T varies from 8.5 to 14.3; (ii) a second innerarm integrally connected to the spaced end of the first member by asecond cantilever mount, said inner arm having a spaced free endsuspended between said body member and said outer member, said innermember and said cantilevered mount defining a free space between saidinner arm and said outer arm; (d) a garment stop formation formedbetween said body and said cantilever mount, and said stop formationbeing substantially not-aligned with the free end of said inner arm;wherein the stop formation inhibits migration of the garment past thefree end of the inner arm into said free space.
 2. A lightweight,plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner armdefines a width W, a thickness T and a length L1, and a ratio of W/Twhich varies from 1.8 to 3.0, and a ratio of L2/T which varies from 7.7to 13.0.
 3. A lightweight, plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 1,wherein the width W is within the range of from 0.14 inches to 0.24inches.
 4. A lightweight, plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 3,wherein the width W is substantially 0.190 inches.
 5. A lightweight,plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness T iswithin the range of from 0.06 inches to 0.1 inches.
 6. A lightweight,plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thickness T issubstantially 0.078 inches.
 7. A lightweight, plastic garment hanger asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the length L1 is within the range of from0.67 to 1.11 inches.
 8. A lightweight, plastic garment hanger as claimedin claim 7, wherein the length L1 is substantially 0.89 inches.
 9. Alightweight, plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidstop formation is formed as a web positioned above the free end of saidinner arm, and extending inwardly into said free space.
 10. Alightweight, plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidstop formation is formed as a web which projects inwardly into said freespace above said free end, and is curved to block access along apredefined portion of a trajectory described by the end of the inner armas it flexes inwardly into said free space.
 11. A lightweight, plasticgarment hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop formation isformed as an elongated bump positioned above the free end of said innerarm, and extending inwardly into said free space.
 12. A lightweight,plastic garment hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop formationis formed as a web positioned opposite the free end of said inner arm,and extending inwardly into said free space, said web having a cutoutsubstantially aligned with the free end of said inner arm.